“When through fiery trials I call you to go….”
It is my opinion, as a retired English and creative writing teacher, that Daniel 3 is one of the best crafted pieces of literature ever. It has irony, humor, strong plot and character, and would be entertaining in its own right, just as a story to be enjoyed and shared. It has one thing more that sets it apart though. It, along with the rest of holy Scripture, is writing that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. For us, as with all of Scripture, it embodies the admonition from 2 Timothy 3:16:
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16)
What a plot! In Daniel 2, we saw King Nebuchadnezzar having a terrifying dream, which when rightly interpreted by Daniel through the power of the Holy Spirit, actually proves to be a prophetic dream of a giant statue with a head of gold, but standing on feet of clay, depicting succeeding nations who have their own moments of greatness. Nebuchadnezzar is introduced to the “stone, not cut by human hand, that brings all these kingdoms to naught, and he acknowledges that Daniel’s God is “God of gods and Lord of kings.” Daniel is promoted, and he persuades the king to allow his three friends to take a prominent place in the affairs of the kingdom.
Now the plot thickens. [As an aside, I encourage you to read this chapter out loud. I think you will immediately pick up on the incredible “pomp and circumstance” of which we humans are capable.] Nebuchadnezzar decides to build himself a huge statue made of gold. Its dimensions are a bit puzzling, in that it is about 90 feet tall, while only about 9 feet wide. One cannot help but think that that statue of his dreams with the head of gold is in his mind. It is set up on the plain of Dura. Now begins the drama!
Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to “gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (Dan 3:2)
This is a big “to do,” no doubt about it. Everybody who is anybody has been invited, rather commanded, to attend. After they all get there, and it must have been some kind of a crowd, the herald announces;
‘You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.’ (Dan 3:4-6)
Among those present are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. No mention is made of Daniel in this instance. However, “certain Chaldeans” are quick to inform the king that these three did not obey orders. The king is furious, and commands that they be brought to him. Amazingly, he actually allows them to speak, and gives them another chance to obey, but with this caveat;
‘But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?’ (Dan 3:15)
These three faithful friends respond thus;
‘…we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’ (Dan 3:16-18)
They do not “put the Lord to the test” in their answer. It is clear that regardless of the outcome to them, they are prepared to be faithful to what God has commanded. I wonder if they might have thought about Isaiah 43:2b-3 in that moment.
“When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
You know the story. The furnace is heated seven times hotter than usual, so hot, in fact, that the men who come to throw the three into the furnace are killed doing their duty. The king, watching all this, realizes that they are walking around in the furnace – but they are not alone! There is a fourth man with them, one who looks like “a son of the gods.”
They are brought out, unharmed, unsinged hair, not even smelling like smoke. Nebuchadnezzar, in awe, blesses God. Something has changed for him, but not everything. He declares that anyone who says anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego will be torn limb from limb and will forfeit everything he has. He is still dealing with things in his own way.
God is getting King Nebuchadnezzar’s attention. He has gone from acknowledging that God is greater than other gods in Chapter two to blessing God in Chapter three. How often do we do the same? We bless God for what He has done for us, be it big or small, but then we cast aspersions on others who do not share our same blessing. Are we still little “Nebuchadnezzars,” wrapped up in ourselves, acknowledging who He is, and believing in his greatness, but not allowing Him to be Lord of our lives?
To be continued….
Judy